Rain gutter suspension bracket



Feb. 11, 1969 F. R. ussus RAIN GUTTER SUSPENSION BRACKET Filed Nov. 18. 1966 INVENTOR. Frank FLAG/Le 3Y6 m 7 0- M ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,426,987 RAIN GUTTER SUSPENSION BRACKET Frank R. Leslie, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to Monsanto Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 18, 1966, Ser. No. 595,502 US. Cl. 24848.2 6 Claims Int. Cl. E04d 13/06 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application describes a rain gutter suspension bracket which comprises two members wherein one member is slidably associated with the other member and adjustable upon installation with a rain gutter to provide clamping and holding the gutter in position while permitting some degree of movement of the gutter. The bracket is useful with gutters made of materials which are characterized by a high degree of seasonal expansion and contraction.

This invention relates to a rain gutter suspension bracket and more particularly is applicable to rain gutters formed of material which, due to exposure to the atmosphere, are characterized by a high degree of seasonal expansion and contraction.

For example, in warm climates during the summer months, gutters formed of thermoplastic materials such as polyvinyl halides, polyethylene, polystyrene, graft copolymers and the like, and even some metals, such as aluminum, may expand and contract in 30 foot lengths as plus or minus one inch at 100 F. differential. Such gutters are accordingly, instead of being rigidly attached to the building structure or fascia board, are generally suspended or hung in such a manner as to allow longitudinal movement, i.e. expansion and contraction during seasonal changes and when directly exposed to strong sunlight. A gutter hanger of this general type is disclosed in US Patent 3,022,029.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved form of gutter hanger for rain gutters formed of expandable material which is easily applied by the workman, is permanent in nature and firmly supports the gutter on the ordinary fascia board disposed under the cave of the roof or similar structure.

Rain gutters formed of thermoplastic materials are usually provided along their length with an inner generally U shaped downwardly turned lip or flange and on the outer end of such structure also formed with a downwardly turned lip or flange. Reference to the drawings will show the type of gutter construction being referred to and to which hangers of the presently claimed construction are particularly applicable. This gutter is of elongated configuration and usually is placed in 20 or 30 feet lengths between the down spouts. The hangers of my invention are designed to be placed along the length of the rain gutter spaced about 2 or 3 feet one from the other. The hangers of this invention are superior to the hangers of Patent 3,022,029 for application to polyvinyl rain gutters since they are adjustable in such a manner that after the gutter is positioned against the fascia board as illustrated, it is postively clamped into position by the secondary clamping device forming a part of this invention. It will be observed that the hanger of my invention is a Z-piece hanger comprising an upper strip-like portion, 10, which may have an upwardly bulge strengthening portion, 11, running lengthwise of the hanger, and an upwardly and reversely bent outer end portion, 12, designed to fit within, and perhaps interlock with reversely bent outer edge portion, 14, which is clearly shown in the drawings.

This improved form of gutter hanger permits an installation of the gutter higher underneath the roof cave on the fascia board than a hanger with an upturned inner nailing lip. This is particularly desirable on a narrow fascia board so that the gutter will not hang below the bottom of a narrow fascia board. In addition, this hanger with the down-turned inner nailing lip presents a better ap pearance of the gutter system, the hanger being not visible from the ground level as with a hanger with an up-turned inner lip.

Referring to the drawings, specifically, it will be observed that FIGURE 1 is a side sectional view showing my improved gutter hanger construction fully in position and supporting a rain gutter, 9. FIGURE 2 is a top view of my adjustable supporting bracket. FIGURE 3 is an end view of my bracket construction which is nailed, screwed or otherwise attached to the fascia board of the building. FIGURE 4 is a sectional view on the line 44 of FIG- URE 1.

The inner downwardly turned portion, 15, of my bracket is provided with nail holes, 16, adapted to be attached by the workman directly to a fascia board, 17, forming an integral part of the building construction. After the inner portion, 15, of the bracket or hanger, 10, is suitably secured to the fascia board of the building, the outer end of the rain gutter, 9, is applied to or attached to the upwardly and inwardly extending end portion, 12, of my improved bracket, 10, and then simply rotated into the position shown in FIGURE 1 with the inwardly and downwardly U shaped portion, 18, of the gutter, then suitably located for application of my adjustable hanger, 10, as clearly indicated in the drawing. The screw device, 19, is backed away a suitable distance to allow the up wardly turned inner portion of the sliding member, 20, of my bracket to be moved from the dotted line position under the U shaped interportion, 18, of the gutter, 9, whereupon the screw, 19, is simply tightened, bringing the upwardly turned inner portion of the under section, 20, of the bracket into the slotted or U shaped portion, 18, of the gutter.

The expandable gutter is then suitably suspended or hung on the supporting means, 10, and is thereafter free to expand and contract upon climatic changes and variations as will be readily understood.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable gutter hanger construction comprising a primary elongated member having an inner downwardly turned tab portion adapted for attachment to a building element and an outer upwardly turned portion for supporting the outer edge of a rain gutter; a secondary elongated member adapted for slidable engagement with said primary member and having an inner upwardly turned portion for supporting the inner edge of a rain gutter; and means for holding said primary and secondary members in adjustable relationship.

2. An adjustable gutter hanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein the downwardly turned tab portion of said primary member is provided with openings for the reception of attachment means.

3. An adjustable gutter hanger construction as set forth 4. An adjustable gutter hanger as set forth in claim 1 5 wherein the inner upwardly turned portion of said secondary member is adapted for interlocking engagement with the inner edge of a rain gutter.

'5. An adjustable gutter hanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein a slot is provided in the primary member of the gutter hanger to allow sliding horizontal movement of a screw passing through said slot and attached to said secondary member.

6. An adjustable gutter hanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein the central portion of the primary member of the gutter hanger is provided with a bulged section for strengthening the supporting capacity of said gutter hanger.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,855,241 4/1932 Irwin 248-482 3,022,029 2/ 1962 Blayden 24848.2 10 3,295,803 1/1967 Blayden 248--48.2

ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner. FRANK DOMOTOR, Assistant Examiner. 

